An award-winning
initiative to give a new lease of life to a North Wales hydroelectric scheme
was officially launched on Saturday, the first day of Community Energy
Fortnight, with help from local business Welsh Slate.

The leading
manufacturer of Welsh Slate has helped Ynni Ogwen Cyf with the development of a
community hydroelectric scheme on Afon Ogwen in Bethesda where Welsh Slate's
Penrhyn Quarry is located.

It was opened by
Hywel Williams MP during a special event which included a guided walk along the
river bank, a presentation on its historical context by local historian John
Llywelyn Williams, items by local schools, and a welcome by Ynni Ogwen chair
Meleri Davies.

The scheme comprises
the installation of a new turbine on a site 20 metres from an old turbine house
with an old Gikes turbine which was used to power machinery at Welsh Slate's
Penrhyn Quarry in 1929.

It is a wholly
community-owned hydroelectric scheme, with local shareholders and the community
benefitting from the profits generated by selling the electricity to the grid.
This differentiates it from the many other commercially-owned hydroelectric
schemes.

Meleri Davies
said: “The hydroelectric turbine was a relic from an era when the quarry used
water to power some of its machinery. Now that renewable energy generation is
becoming a big issue in our area, bringing a new lease of life to this old hydroelectric
scheme will build on the long history of renewable energy generation in the
valley.”

Welsh Slate's
support for the scheme has included providing the land on a rental basis, the
use of a compound for construction materials and plant, and materials for
pathways and walling.

Welsh Slate
managing director Chris Allwood said: “Penrhyn Quarry is a major local employer
and we are delighted to be able to continue to support the local community
councils, particularly for a project which promotes the link between the quarry
and the community.”

Hydro Ogwen won
the Engaging the Community category of the Welsh Green Energy Awards and was highly
commended in the Sustainable Community category of the Sustain Wales Awards
2016.